We all know the value of a good friend or buddy. But did you know it happens in the plant world too?
Plants will benefit from the friend or buddy system and you will end up with healthier plants that grow better, yield more and attract less garden pests. It’s a matter of knowing which plants will grow happily together in what is called companion planting.
As you know I’m not the gardener in our family, Mick is. Mick often uses this buddy or friends system of companion planting.
Some are really obvious like where one is a low growing sprawling vine like a pumpkin. It will enjoy being best buddies with the tall growing sweet corn and in the process protect the corn’s roots from too much sun.
Herbs are often helpful for the buddy system. Thyme is a great insect repellent and can actually improve the flavor of vegetables. It will also help prevent moths from attacking your cabbage plants. Garlic is another useful herb for keeping cabbage moths away, as is sage, while basil will help repel flies and mosquitoes. Chamomile is another good one for this and actually strengthens plants growing near it.
Lemon balm attracts bees, and as any gardener knows bees are good for the garden. Borage will deter worm from tomatoes and will improve any strawberry crop, increasing the yield. Mint is another useful herb for discouraging cabbage moths, ants and fleas.
Tomatoes will always be improved by growing parsley near them. Rosemary is another that repels cabbage moth. It has the added advantage of not only looking attractive, especially the deep blue flowering variety, but also is useful for seasoning lamb and using in recipes.
Flowers are useful in the vegetable garden, Marigolds not only add their lovely bright orange and yellow color to the garden they will repel white fly if grown near tomatoes. They will also attract bees. Geraniums not only attract bees, but the strong smell discourages various insects. So keep your garden happy by adapting the buddy system and give your plants friends to grow alongside. Your garden will thank you.
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